JK News Today
Jammu, August 14
The hotliers in Katra have demanded modifications in the guidelines to be followed when Mata Vaishno Devi yatra resumes on 16th August.
The delegation of hotliers led by President Rakesh Wazir in a meeting with the Deputy Commisioner Reasi Indu Kanwal Chib have demanded modification of yatra guidelines which include removing a cap of just 500 pilgrims from outside Jammu and Kashmir out of total of daily 5000 pilgrims.
Mr.Wazir while speaking on the occasion said that as per SOP/guidelines 4500 pilgrims from within the UT and 500 from out side UT would be permitted per day to have darshans of Maa vaishnodevi ji however he said that the binding of 500 pilgrims from outside the UT should be removed and while making on line booking which is mandatory for doing Vaishnodevi Yatra the quota 5000 pilgrims should be filled in such a way that it should be open for all because if we will restrict to the mandatory figure of 4500 pilgrims from within UT that quota will remain un utilized because on an average even in normal days the figure of local people remains much lower than 4500 per day and even asked for increasing the number beyond 5000.
He further said that all pilgrims like other states and Union territories be allowed to proceed to Yatra with pre- covid test done within 72 hours at their native places and when that Covid test is made compulsory even if that figure increases it would hardly hurt any one because all pilgrims going to Vaishnodevi ji would be Covid negative.
A delegation of Hotel & Restaurant Association,Katra included President Rakesh Wazir, Chairman Shyam lal Kesar,Former President Shiv Kumar Sharma,Sr.Vice President Virender Kesar and others The delegation , besides congratulating the State government and Authorities for taking effective steps pertaining to starting of Yatra after a gap of five months apprised the Deputy Commissioner that certain modifications are required to be made in the SOPs/guidelines issued by the government of J&K and requested her for getting those amended from the concerned.
Mr.Kesar while speaking on the occasion emphasized for making the Yatra continous without any restriction on 24 hour basis though with restricted number as it was prior to lock down so that congestion and over corwding be avoided at Bhawan and enroute and likewise for the convenience of pilgrims the shops and establishments be opened likewise and there should be no lock down at Katra and enroute Bhawan. He further said that final SOPs /guidelines should be advertised properly so that pilgrims coming from within and out side UT should have proper knowledge of those guidelines.
Mr.Sharma & Mr.Virender Kesar while speaking on the occasion said that there should not be repeated Covid test of the pilgrims coming for Darshans at Katra as emphasised in the issued SOP and the test done by Yatries at their homes within 72 hours should be valid for Yatra.
They further said that Yatra should be rotated keeping in mind the historic values and traditions of the routes and Pithus and Helpers with proper Covid testing should be allowed for the convenience of the pilgrims.
